Rice

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Background - 15 February, 2007

Rice has been part of our staple diet around the world for over 10,000 years, it is cultivated in 113 countries - in China alone there are 75,000 varieties. Rice production accounts for 11 percent of the world's arable land, or 500 million hectares, 90 percent of which is produced on Asian farms of less than one hectare.

So far field trials, mainly of Bt rice, have been conducted in the US, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Colombia, India, Iran, France, Italy, Spain, Japan and the Philippines.

Studies of the potential ecological risks of GE rice show that there is a high risk of 'transgene escape' (gene flow) from GE rice to non-GE rice varieties. Research also shows that GE rice out-crossing may threaten wild rice varieties.

The first GE rice on the market is likely to be a LibertyLink (glufosinate) tolerant variety developed by Bayer. Indications are that it could be commercially grown in the US as early as 2005. There are many more GE rice varieties in the pipeline, including Monsanto's Roundup tolerant rice, Bt rice, and rice resistant to bacterial blight.

It is also possible that the Chinese government will try to commercialise Bt rice in 2005. Under Chinese regulation, there is no requirement for the public to be informed and consulted before a GE crop is approved for commercialisation. Once an application reaches the Ministry of Agriculture, the ministry will commission research institutes to carry out environmental and safety assessments, which usually last from three to six months.

Commercialisation of GE rice in China would have regional and global impact. It is widely believed that India, the second largest producer and consumer of rice, and other rice producing countries (Thailand and Vietnam), may follow China's footsteps if it commercialises GE rice.